Bottom pour apparatus for a metal ladle

ABSTRACT

A metal discharge nozzle or control valve assembly for a ladle operatively positioned in the bottom wall of the ladle and including a heat resistant head or stopper for a discharge opening. The discharge nozzle or opening is provided in the valve assembly which is in engagement with the ladle bottom wall, and a heat resistant carrier means for the stopper engages therewith and extends laterally therebeyond which equidistant lateral portions of the carrier means are engaged by a pair of vertically positioned heat resistant support rods that slidably engage the bottom wall of the ladle on diametrically opposed portions thereof in relation to the discharge opening. Heat resistant bushing means are carried by the bottom wall and position the support rods therein and a control member such as a piston and cylinder means are carried on an outside wall of the ladle and operatively engage the support rod means for raising and lowering the carrier and stopper (head) for opening and closing the discharge opening or nozzle.

United States Patent 91 I Ericson 1 BOTTOM POUR APPARATUS FOR A METAL LADLE [76] Inventor: John A. Ericson, 732 Market St.,

Youngstown, Ohio 44502 [22 Filed: May 30,1973

21 Appl. No.: 365,126

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1914 Teeter 222/559 UX 3,310,851 3/1967 Stiteler... 3,511,421 5/1970 Smith 222/559 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 386,424 1/1923 Germany 222/504 Primary E.raminer-R0bert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-David A. Scherbel Attorney, Agent, ()r Firm OIdham & Oldham .14 June 28, 1974 I [57] ABSTRACT A metal discharge nozzle or control valve assembly for a ladle operatively positioned in the bottom wall of the ladle and including a heat resistant head or stopper for a discharge opening. The discharge nozzle or opening is provided in the valve assembly which is in engagement with the ladle bottom wall, and a heat resistant carrier means for the stopper engages therewith and extends laterally therebeyond which equidistant lateral portions of the carrier means are engaged by a pair of vertically positioned heat resistant support rods that slidably engage the bottom wall of the ladle on diametrically opposed portions thereof in relation to the discharge opening. Heat resistant bushing means are carried by the bottom wall and position the support rods therein and a control member such as a piston and cylinder means are carried on an outside wall of the ladle and operatively engage the support rod means for raisingand lowering the carrier and stopper (head) for opening and closing the discharge opening or nozzle.

7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures BOTTOM POUR APPARATUS FOR A METAL .LADLE This invention relates to molten metal processing means, and particularly to an improved nozzle or valve means and associated members for positioning in the bottom of the ladle for controlling the discharge of molten metal received in the ladle. The valve means are operative by means associated with the lower ends of members of the valve assembly and are positioned externally of .the ladle.

, Heretofore there have been many various types of valve assemblies or the like provided in bottom pour or discharge ladies for molten metal, but it has been difficult to maintain the control valves in good operative condition, and the valve means mustbe adapted to withstand the rough and continuous usage to which the ladles and the like are subjected.

One prior construction in this field is evidenced by US. Pat. No. 3,386,633 (Reissue US. Pat. No. 27,419). U.S. Pat. No. 2,863,189 is another illustration of a prior structure for bottom pour of molten metals from ladles.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved bottom pour apparatus for a metal ladle and particularly to provide an improved control valve assembly for use in handling molten metals.

Another object of the invention is to provide a discharge valve assembly for use with ladies and wherein the valve assembly can be readily engaged with existing ladles and provide fully operative control valve means carried by the bottom wall of the ladle and not interfering with the discharge of molten metal in any appreciable manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a discharge valve assembly for molten metals wherein the assembly is of sturdy heat-resistant construction and is adapted to have a long service life.

A further object of the invention is to provide control valve assemblies for operative engagement with the bottom walls of the ladles and wherein the components of the valve assemblies are made from heat-resistant materials and/or have coatings thereon of heat-reistant materials, such as zirconium, permanently carried thereby.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

Reference now is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a fragmentary vertical section through a ladle having a controlled valve assembly of the invention operatively engaged therewith; and

FIG. 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings and referred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used to facilitate comparison therebetween.

With reference to the details of the structures shown in the drawings, a valve assembly is indicated as a whole by the numeral 10. This valve assembly is positioned in the bottom wall of ladle 12. The ladle 12 is of conventional construction for carrying molten metals therein and for discharging the same through the valve assembly 10 from the bottom of the ladle. The

ladle comprises a cup-like metal outer wall or shell 14 and which outer wall is integrally joined to a bottom wall 16 of the ladle. A suitable refractory brick lining 18 of any desired composition is conventionally attached to the inner surfaces of the walls 14 and 16 in a known manner, while an opening 20 is provided in the bottom wall 16 for receiving the valve assembly 10. Such opening 20 extends through the refractory lining provided in the ladle.

The valve assembly 10 includes a suitable frame 22 in which the components of the valve assembly are positioned. This frame 22 normally is made from a suitable refractory material and it can be secured in position by a shoulder member provided at its upper end (not shown) engaging the upper surface of the refractory lining 18 at the opening 20.. Or, as shown in the drawings, a metal support plate 24 can be secured to the bottom wall 16 of the ladle as by bolts 26. Such support plate has a center opening 28 therein to avoid any interference with discharge of molten metal from the ladle 12.

The valve assembly 10 includes a conventional stopper 30 made from refractory or other suitable high heat-resistant material. Such stopper is supported on a heat resistant carrier means such as a transversely. extending bar 32 that has a high temperature heatresistant coating thereon indicated at 34. Such coating 34 can be suitably applied and comprise a relatively heavy plating or a sheet of a high heat-resisting metal, suchas zirconium, or it could have a refractory coating thereon or other known heat-resistant means. The carrier bar 32 is suitably attached to the stopper as by a center rod 36 welded or otherwise secured to the carrier bar 32 and having a plurality of attaching fingers or flanges 38 extending from the lower end thereof and embedded in the stopper 30. Obviously the lower end of the stopper 30 is provided with a shape that is formed complementary to the top inner edge 40 of a center bore 42 provided in the frame 22. a t

The carrier means or bar 32 and the stopper 30 are positioned by and controlled through a pair of support rod means 44,46. These support rod means extend through the refractory frame 22 and are vertically positioned, but are vertically movable with relation to other portions of the valve assembly. Preferably these support rods are provided with heat-resistant surfaces thereon, and, for example, a heavy coating or a tube of zirconium or other heat-resistant metal is applied on the support rods which may have a center of steel or other suitable metal. The support rods 44 and 46 engage with the carrier bar 32 by welding, bolts or equivalent mcans, as is desired.

Of course, the support rods 44 and 46 are diametrically opposed with relation to the center bore 42 and engage the carrier bar 32 on opposite end portions thereof to position the stopper 30 for vertical movement to and from engagement with the edge 40 of the frame 22. The extent of movement of such support rods should be sufficient, such as about 4 to 12 inches, so as to clear the center bore 42 for ready flow of molten metal thereto and therethrough from a pool of the metal received in the ladle 12.

The refractory or heat resistant frame 22'has a pair of heat resistant bushings 48 and 50 positioned therein in spaced parallel relationship for slidably receiving the support rods 44 and 46. These bushings preferably are provided with some clearance in relation to the support rods to permit ready sliding engagement therebetween, and such clearance, for example, 1/32 inch, is such that the bushings 48 and 50 will serve to scrape or clear metal from the support rods 44 and 46 with vertical movement thereof down into the bushings. The bushings are likewise made from heat resistant metal, such as zirconium.

It will be noted that the drawings show that the support rods 44 and 46 are appreciably longer than the height of the frame 22 and extend from both the top and bottom thereof. The lower portions of these support rods are suitably engaged, as by welding, bolts or other means to a control bar 52 that is secured to the lower ends of both of these support rods and with the control bar extending over to and beyond the side wall of the ladle. This control bar has a curved or C-shaped center portion therein indicated at 54 whereby the bar is not positioned directly below the discharge opening or center bore provided in the valve assembly. Hence, the control bar 52 will not interfere with discharge of molten metal from the ladle.

In order to control the position of the stopper and associated means in the valve assembly 10, a suitable member, such as a power actuated cylinder 56 is suitably secured to the outer wall 14 of the ladle 12. Such cylinder is provided with power operating electric or fluid means therefor by lines indicated at 58. The cylinder 56 is vertically positioned for power actuated movement in both directions. The cylinder 56 has a piston rod 60 extending therefrom and such piston rod is secured to an end of the control bar 52 whereby reciprocation of the cylinder or piston in the cylinder 56 will move the piston rod 60 on a vertical axis and this in turn will cause equivalent movement of the support rods 44 and 46 and consequent movement of the stopper to and from sealed engagement with the upper end of the center bore 42 in the frame 22 of the valve.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that heat resistant members are used in all portions of the stopper valve assembly subjected to high temperatures. The stopper valve does not interfere with flow of molten metal to the discharge opening in the ladle, nor does the valve interfere with discharge flow of the molten metal from the ladle. By providing heat resistant members in the support means for the stopper, the components of the valve will resist the high temperatures to which they are subjected. The members of the invention are relatively sturdy and will stand the rough usage to which they are subjected.

Thus, it is believed that the objects of the invention have been achieved by the provision of a sturdy, easily controlled bottom pour control valve assembly for metal carrying ladies.

It will be realized that the support rods 44 and 46 can extend any desired distance below the ladle 12 to provide for satisfactory lifting action by the support rods of the stopper or head 30 without interference from the control bar 52 contacting the bottom of the ladle.

The head or stopper 30 can be cast in one piece to embed the members 36 and 38 therein. Or, it can be cast to extend around a portion of the cross bar 32, if desired, as indicated at 60 to secure the head to the bar. The bar 32 can be an l-beam and have the head be cast to engage a bottom flange thereof. Or the members 36 and 38 could be replaced with a screw and have a suitably cast head with a tapped bore engaged therewith.

If desired, the discharge opening 42 in the nozzle could be inclined or curved slightly at its lower end toward a side of the ladle to direct discharged metal towards a side wall of a mold positioned to receive metal from the ladle.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a ladle for molten metal, said ladle having a bottom wall and means in the bottom wall providing a discharge opening therein, the improvement comprising a metal discharge control valve assembly including a heat-resistant stopper for said opening, a heat-resistant carrier means for said stopper engaging the upper end thereof and extending laterally beyond said stopper on opposed sides thereof, a pair of vertical heat resistant support rod means slidably and operably engaging the bottom wall of said ladle and operatively protruding therefrom in both directions, said support rod means engaging said carrier means on opposite sides of said stopper and being equally spaced laterally from said discharge opening, heat-resistant bushing means carried by said bottom wall and positioning said support rod means, and piston and cylinder means carried on the outside of said ladle and operatively engaging said support rod means to raise and lower said stopper for opening and closing said discharge opening.

2. A ladle as in claim I where said bushing means are formed from zirconium and clearance is provided between said support rod means and said bushing means.

3. A ladle as in claim 1 where said carrier means and said support rod means have zirconium coatings thereon.

4. In a ladle as in claim 1 where said stopper means has a reenforcement provided therein secured to said carrier means, and said stopper is a unit engaging said reenforcement and said carrier means.

5. A ladle as in claim l where said metal discharge control valve assembly includes a refractory frame means in which said discharge opening is formed, said frame means operatively engaging said bottom wall and positioning the valve components, said discharge opening having an upper end at the upper end of said frame means which upper end is engaged by said stopper whereby said discharge opening is fully exposed and has no obstructions to metal flow when said stopper is raised.

6. In a ladle as in claim 1 and comprising a connector member engaging the lower ends of said support rods and extending laterally beyond said ladle to engage a piston rod of said cylinder means.

7. In a ladle as in claim 6 where said stopper means has a reenforcement provided therein secured to said carrier means, and said stopper is a unit engaging said reenforcement and said carrier means.

=l l l 

1. In a ladle for molten metal, said ladle having a bottom wall and means in the bottom wall providing a discharge opening therein, the improvement comprising a metal discharge control valve assembly including a heat-resistant stopper for said opening, a heat-resistant carrier means for said stopper engaging the upper end thereof and extending laterally beyond said stopper on opposed sides thereof, a pair of vertical heat resistant support rod means slidably and operably engaging the bottom wall of said ladle and operatively protruding therefrom in both directions, said support rod means engaging said carrier means on opposite sides of said stopper and being equally spaced laterally from said discharge opening, heat-resistant bushing means carried by said bottom wall and positioning said support rod means, and piston and cylinder means carried on the outside of said ladle and operatively engaging said support rod means to raise and lower said stopper for opening and closing said discharge opening.
 2. A ladle as in claim 1 where said bushing means are formed from zirconium and clearance is provided between said support rod means and said bushing means.
 3. A ladle as in claim 1 where said carrier means and said support rod means have zirconium coatings thereon.
 4. In a ladle as in claim 1 where said stopper means has a reenforcement provided therein secured to said carrier means, and said stopper is a unit engaging said reenforcement and said carrier means.
 5. A ladle as in claim 1 where said metal discharge control valve assembly includes a refractory frame means in which said discharge opening is formed, said frame means operatively engaging said bottom wall and positioning the valve components, said discharge opening having an upper end at the upper end of said frame means which upper end is engaged by said stopper whereby said discharge opening is fully exposed and has no obstructions to metal flow when said stopper is raised.
 6. In a ladle as in claim 1 and comprising a connector member engaging the lower ends of said support rods and extending laterally beyond said ladle to engage a piston rod of said cylinder means.
 7. In a ladle as in claim 6 where said stopper means has a reenforcement provided therein secured to said carrier means, and said stopper is a unit engaging said reenforcement and said carrier means. 